bad experience with Calypso Realty

can you sue the real estate company. if she is on the board of realtors wouldnt she have to recuse herself if there is a claim against her?? i really dont know. you could also go to lawyers.com message board and ask questions there.

Go to the board of realtors but you will not get any money and she may only get a slap on the the wrist it all depends, but if you really feel you are in the right you should do something about it. If Calypso is her brokerage you can try and sue them as well if the lease was on their letterhead. But you should go after the owner and if you win and the owner isnt on island, you can put a lien on the property. You may not get the money today but you will eventually.

Did you buy or rent?

Sue the brokerage.

jewelygirl and others,
The Realtors Association will not get you any money, they can give various sanctions, fines etc to it's members for violating their code of ethics and conduct in dealing with the public. You all would need to know a little more as to what the problem was. If it's the House/unit the Real Estate Brokerage Company might be considered a disclosed agent (that means the owner (past) would be required to pay damages. If the Brokerage company had full knowledge of a problem and did not disclose it that would be another case. Depending on the dollar amount and what transpired, sometimes it's better to chalk it up to experience.

16 years.

Maybe it's just me, and it really isn't my business, but this is a public forum. Isn't this a little unfair? We don't even know what she did to you. I don't know her personally, but she was the selling agent on a house we had listed on St. Thomas a few years back, and to my knowledge, she was just fine. Our buyers didn't have any complaints. She is always very active in good causes on STT, and she is one of the first to come to the aid of people in distress.

Don't get me wrong. I believe we are entitled to voice our dis-satisfaction with services and products we receive. That's called "word of mouth", and it's a good thing, but your original post just seemed so...so personal.

As for being on the Board of Realtors, they have various committees to handle complaints. It's not like it would go across her desk first, so don't let that stop you.

Anyway, good luck to you. I hope you get your issue resolved.

What was the issue?

To set the record straight, at least I am identifying myself. I am Sharon of Calypso Realty. I will not reveal the name of these hateful people that wrote the initial remarks. They don't even deserve the time it will take me to write this. However, I was alerted to this blog by several friends and other Realtors. I would rather spend what little spare time I have on the Internet writing about useful information as opposed to lies and negative information. I agree, if someone has a bad experience, they should vent and alert people. But lie? I don't think so.
Judge Michael Dunston dismissed the case against me personally and told the former tenants that they only could have a case against the landlord since the lease was in his name. Without getting into the specifics, since I consider that confidential and private information, these former tenants filed a case for over $8,000 in Small Claims. They were awarded under $500 to be paid by the Landlord. I don't know about you, but I would not consider that a win.
We had a considerable array of photographs in court showing the condition of the apartment. These tenants were evicted from the apartment by the Landlord's attorney.
The tenants stated in court under oath that I had 'many cases found against me in court'. Such a reckless remark since it is so easily checked wouldn't you think? I have never had a case against me or Calypso Realty in any court here, the States or elsewhere. I said that under oath. I have a long standing good reputation in real estate and otherwise. Sure, some people might be dissatisfied with service and I encourage them to speak about it. But these former tenants are just way off base.
Thanks to the unknown person that said something nice about my service. It is disappointing that others simply took the blogger at face value and didn't even know the issues and are offering to figure out sanctions and monetary damages. Heh, there are always two sides to every story, right?
And for the record, every Realtor is a "member of the Board of Realtors", as am I. However, I am not an officer or director now nor have I been for the past few years. I served for many years in various capacities and stepped aside so new members would have a chance to serve.
So, that's all you'll hear from me on this. Sad that the former tenants have so much venom in them. Careful, it eats you alive after a while. Do something useful with your lives instead. Best, Sharon of Calypso Realty

Good for You Sharon!

I'm glad you posted sharon. But I don't think anyone was "taking sides" by answering the question they orginally posted. I know I personnally was just giving them their options based on what they said. I never said Calypso was guilty of anything, I always said IF. Though I understand your frustration and anger.

Being a landlord on island and having some realtor friends I've got my own store of stories. Some many people are too trusting of incoming renters and don't do the necessary paperwork and background checks before getting them in and the results can be bad.

Also so many transplants that move to the islands have not rented for a long time or if ever and are just not familiar with the process and it can make for so many misunderstandings. New renters, read you lease! The lease is there to protect the landlord and his property not you. Its not a bad thing for you as long as you know what you can and can't do and what each party is responible for and to do.

Betty: thanks for responding. My company does background and credit checks. twice back, on all of our prospective tenants. However, if they don't rent through a Realtor that would hopefully give a professional reference it is sometimes difficult to get on island landlords to give you a true picture of their former tenant. Many are just glad to be rid of them. In this respect, the former landlord did not give us all the information so we made a decision given their longevity on island and steady jobs. But that is not always the whole picture as in this case.
This is only the second time in my 25+ years of real estate property management that a lawyer has had to evict a tenant we put in a rental and I take care of 25 properties for off island owners. So I would say we have an excellent track record. Sharon

The original poster was asked repeatedly what the issue was & never returned to this thread to explain which was certainly a tip-off to me that something wasn't kosher. I always have suspicions when it isn't a regular & is just somebody who zooms in to bash something & doesn't return.

Not very smart since it's a small community & word gets around just as fast about evictions and the reason for them.

sharon
im glad you stated your side of things. i would like to say im sorry if anything i wrote offended you.

Thanks to all for the kind words. I agree, people you bash and have nothing to back it up. The case is public record in court, Calypso Realty has nothing to hide. It is really interesting that on the day in Small Claims court, January 27, the tenant stated (under oath!) that "Calypso Realty was all over the internet about problems, just google them". Of course, we do this as a matter of course nowadays because of crazy random things people can post. (!) So, I guess that tenant was reading the future, because until this posting of February 9 (above) there was never anything posted on the internet. Hmmm, does that show pre-meditation? Anyway, I consider this a closed case and the tenant/poster is advised they should be careful that they post only the truth.

Why Google yourself, if you use Google Alerts it will email you when a new site is added with your keywords

http://www.google.com/alerts